Oster® Blog

Which Ways Are Best for Preparing Thanksgiving Turkey?

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and that means it's time to start thinking about how you're going to cook your turkey this year. There are a few different options that are popular, but which ones are the best? Check out this breakdown of popular turkey preparation techniques to find out which is perfect for you.

1. Deep Frying
The trend of deep frying turkeys has gotten popular in the last few years, but so have the injuries associated with misusing a fryer. It is not recommended that people cook turkey in a standard deep fryer or at all if they're not experienced. If you want to eat some deep fried turkey, you might want to go to a restaurant and leave this method to the professionals.

However, deep frying a turkey can be done at home but with caution and not in a standard deep fryer. There are special turkey fryers for this type of turkey cooking method and should be used with caution and by an experienced person.

2. Roaster Oven
Cooking your turkey in a roaster oven can be the best option on Thanksgiving. This holiday can get especially chaotic in the kitchen, but this appliance can help. A compact roaster oven is large enough to cook a 26-pound turkey without hogging all the counter space. Plus, the roaster oven lets you cook your dinner while leaving you plenty of room in the oven for side dishes and other food.

A roaster oven may just be the right tool for the job.

In addition to their efficient use of space, roaster ovens also use 36 percent energy than a conventional stove and can take 30 percent less time to cook. Roaster ovens are also easy to use and let you set a precise temperature range for your turkey so that it comes out perfectly.

3. Conventional Oven
This classic method of cooking turkey definitely gets the job done. Although it uses more energy and takes longer than cooking in a roaster oven, it may be the right option for some families who are eating a particularly large turkey. The only major downside to this traditional cooking method is that it takes up a lot of room that could be used for other casseroles and side dishes.

4. Grilling
That backyard barbecue can actually help you cook up your turkey as well. While in some places in the U.S. it may be temperature-prohibitive to use this outdoor method, it can be fun in some warmer climates. The biggest downside to this method is that you have to carve the turkey before you cook it. Separate the thighs, drumsticks and breasts then just place them on the grill like you would a hamburger or hot dog.

5. Slow Cooking
If you've decided to make a smaller turkey this year, you may want to consider slow cooking it. This method is an effort-free way to get a turkey that falls of the bone and is fully moist. Slow cooking might be right for you.